Scan, Slow Down, and Run!

@porwest (112216)
United States
May 12, 2026 7:25am CST
I am a literal hawk any time I am in a Ruler Foods or Aldi parking lot. Both of these stores require a quarter deposit to get a cart that you get back when you return it to its proper receptacle. I hold my quarters close, like I do all of my money. In no way do I have any intention of giving one up if I don't have to. I also make note of the parking lot when I pull in because people leave carts all the time, and if I can snatch one up, that's a free quarter for me if I am careful after I'm done with my shopping. When I get back to my truck to unload, I am on a constant vigil. Where are the people pulling in and how far away from me are they? That's my scan mode. Be very aware of where people are in proximity to me and my cart, because if my cart is too empty or they are too close... They might want to ask me for the cart and even though they'll offer me a quarter, I'm always reluctant to take it. So, if someone is too close, I slow down unloading or pretend like I'm rearranging stuff in my truck, so they'll ignore my cart and just head for the door. Before I head back to the corral, I do another scan. And then I make a very quick walk to the corral. I play blind and deaf all the way. One day I swear I'm going to be on the Forbe's richest list, and in the space where it lists the source, it's going to say, "Quarters from carts at Aldi."
6 people like this
6 responses
@snowy22315 (207280)
• United States
4h
You're a character, but in the end, I am sure you will be richer than all of us.
1 person likes this
• United States
2h
I know he's already richer than me
@Traceyjayne (10668)
• United Kingdom
Just now
That's brilliant......i admit I am the same ....
@BarBaraPrz (51753)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
2h
Schneaky schneaky.
@LadyDuck (500498)
• Italy
2h
We have to deposit 1 EURO coin to get the car in any store here in Europe, it was 1 Swiss Franc in Switzerland. Many times in Switzerland I collected the forgotten coin inside the carts. German Swiss often did not understand very well what to do to get it back, they put the cart back and left inside the coin.
• United States
2h
I love your hunt for quarters and that you have a whole system for collecting them. I hope I live long enough to see your name on the Forbes richest list and can say "I knew him when:"
@lovebuglena (51741)
• Staten Island, New York
54m
I remember I was shopping at Aldi once and the cashier took my shopping court, and I was about to say something, but then she gave me another one in its place. I don’t know why. Next time I’m at Aldi I will see if there are any lonely shopping carts anywhere. I’ve never thought to do that.